Controlling system for fluid craft



T. KRAFT.

CONTROLLING SYSTEM FOR FLUID CRAFT.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 17, 1919.

Patented Apr. 11, 1922.

Herma 77 171 Plan" this i HERMAN T. KRAFT, 0F AKRON, OHIO, ASSIGNOB, TOTHE GOODYEAR TIRE t: RUBBER COMPAITZ, 01E AKRON, 01-110, A. CORPGBATIONOF OHIO.

CONTBOLLENG SYSTEM FOR FLUID CRAFT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 17,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERMAN T. KRAFT, a citizen of the United States, andresident of Akron, Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements inControlling Systems for Fluid Craft, of which the following is aspecification.

My present invention relates to improvements in the controlling systemof any fluid craft and has particular reference to an auxiliary oremergency device, adapted to be brought into use upon temporaryinoperativeness of the usual controlling apparatus of such craft.

In fluid craft,-by which I mean to include boats, air ships, that is tosay, air planes or dirigibles, hydroplanes, and in fact any crafttravelling through water or air,a rudder or the like is commonlyutilized for steering the craft. It frequently happens, however, thatthe rudder or mechanism associated therewith becomes inoperative, byaccident or otherwise, in which case it becomes difficult to maneuverthe ship as desired.

The principal object of my invention 1s, therefore, to provide a devicewhich is built in a craft of the type referred to and which may be usedin emergencyfor controlling the craft. I v

More particularly it is an object ofiny invention to provide a devicewhich may be utilized as an auxiliary or emergency rudder of adirigible, in the event that the usual or regular rudder becomesinoperatlve or fails to operate as it should.

The above and additional objects of a similar nature, which will behereinafter more specifically treated are preferably accomplished bysuch means as are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, described inthe following specification, and then more particularly pointed out inthe claims which are appended hereto and form a part of thisapplication.

In the drawings, wherein I have illustrated the preferred embodiment ofmy device as applied to a relatively stationary vertical stabilizing finof a dirigible:

Figure 1 is an elevation of the device of my invention associated withthe usual steering system of a dirigible;

Figure 2 is a bottom View of the structure;

Figure 3 is an enlarged section taken on Patented Apr, 11, 19223.

1919. Serial No. 311,442.

the line 3 3 of Figure 1 showing both aux,- iliary rudders in openposition; and

Figure 4 is a bottom view of a modified form of the device. 7'

Referring now to the drawings, the numeral 5 designates the usual orordinary construction of rudder, hingedly connected to the lowervertical stabilizing fin (3 of a gas bag 7.

To the sides of the fin 6, which, of course, is relatively stationary,are secured, by any suitable means, such as hinges 8, a pair of doorlikeelements or planes 9 and 9, one on either side of the fin 6. Theseelements 9 and 9, which act as auxiliary or emergency rudders, as willpresently appear, arethus hinged at their forward ends and are normallyheld in inoperative position within recesses 10, formed in the sides ofthe fin 6, by means of elastic cords or other resilient devices 11connected to their inner faces, and thus lie normally flush withrespective surfaces of the fin 6.

Projecting from the outer face of each element 9 and 9' is a post 12,having suitable guy wires 13 supporting and strengthening the same, andprovided'with control wires 14 extending therefrom to the pilots car formanipulation of the elements 9 and. 9 as and when desired. 4

In Figure 4 I have shown a modified form of my invention, which consistsin substituting a single'door-like element or plane 15in place of thetwo elements 9 and 9. This element 15 ispivoted at 16 within an opening17 formed in the fin 6, and is normally held so that its surfacescoincide with the respective surfaces of the fin 6, means of an elasticcord 18, or other resilient device. The element 15 is provided withoutwardly projecting posts, one supported on each surface of the element15, which are strengthened by guy wires 19, in a manner similar to theposts 12 of the modification shown in Figures 1-3, and which areprovided with the control wires 14.

The purpose and operation of the device of my invention are as follows:

If for any reason the main rudder 5 should fail to operate or shouldoperate improperly, as by the breaking or damage of any parts associatedtherewith, the pilot will then manipulate the control wires 14 to bringinto play the elements 9 and 9 or the element 15 Figure 4. The windthrusts on the surfaces of these elements will act precisely the same ason the usual rudder to steer the ship in either direction. Either one orboth of the elements 9 and 9 may be operated and to any degree, toobtain the desired steering action.

When the elements 9 and 9, or 15, are not in use, they lie flush with,fin, so that normally the stabilizing function of. the latter is notinterfered with by their presence.

lVhile I have shown and described these elements 9 and 9, and 15disposed for use as emergency rudders, it will readily be understoodthat their position and use are not limited to this particular function,for instead of arranging them in the vertical stabilizing fin, they maybe arranged in analogous relation to horizontal fins or other planes andthus act as emergency elevator planes. Nor, as I have explained. above,is the device restricted to use in air craft. It may, with equaladvantage be applied to the stabilizing fin of a boat, to be used incase the rudder of the same becomes inoperative.

Hence, changes and modifications as to structure, use, and location maybe made which come within the scope of the appended claims without inany manner departing from the essence of the invention as definedthereby.

What I claim is:

1. In a controlling system for craft of the type described, a relativelystationary plane carried by said craft, and having oppositely disposedrecessed portions on each surface thereof, a main controlling planemounted on said stationary plane, an auxiliary controlling plane hingedto the corresponding edge of each recessed portion, means for manuallyoperating said auxiliary planes, and resilient means for normallyholding saidauxiliary planes in inoperative position in said recessedportions. 7

2. In the controlling system of a dirigible, a relatively stationary finhaving a recess in the surface thereof, a controlling vane hinged tosaid stationary fin at the edge of said recess, means for manuallyoperating holding said auxiliary plane in inoperative position withitssurface substantially coincident with the surface of said fin.

4. In the controlling system of a dirigible,

arelatively stationary vertical stabilizing iliary rudder, hinged tosaid fin, means for operating said auxiliary rudder, and resilient meansfor returning and holding said auxiliary rudder in inoperative positionwith its surface substantially coincident withthe surface of said fin. c

5. In the controlling system of a dirigible, a relatively stationaryvertical stabilizing fin, a rudder'associated therewith, an auxiliaryrudder, hinged to each side of. said fin,

means for operating said auxiliary rudders,

and resilient means forreturning and holding said auxiliary rudders ininoperative position with their surfaces substantially coincidentwiththe respective surfaces of said fin.

6. In the controlling system of a dirigible, a relatively stationaryvertical stabilizing fin, having a recess in its surface, a rudderassociated withsaid fin, an auxiliary rudder hinged to said fin at theedge of said recess, means for manually operating said auxiliary rudder,and resilient means for normally holding said auxiliary rudder in itsinoperative position in said. recess.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses. HERMAN T. KRAFT.

Witnesses V L. M; HARTMAN, E. C. LEADENHAM.

fin, a rudder associated therewith, an aux

